Label cutting and folding machine



Mar. 3. 1925.

A. ROSENTHAL ET AL LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Agg 6, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 5 49w TE ATTORNEY? Mar/7h Fosenf/za/ Mar. 3. 1925.

A. ROSENTHAL ET AL LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE 6 z i 5 w 1 w .A, $34 M I w 1 m L INVENTOR.

Fri/7w" floaer/f/ia/ 1 1 TTORNEY e Marfin Ros enf/m/ Mar. 3. 1925.

A. ROSENTHAL ET AL LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MA HINE Filed l \ug. 6, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. i/f/Zl/l fose/y //70/ Marfm Poser) f/M/ ATTORNEYS Mar. 3. 1925. 1,528,511

A. ROSENTHAL ET AL LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug, 6, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

M m k ATTORNL Mar. 3. 1925. 1,528,511

A. ROSENTHAL ET AL- LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Agg G, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORNEYS;

Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED srATEs r 1,528,511 PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR ROSENTHAL AND MARTIN ROSENTHAL, 0F GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, A8- SIGNOBS TO THE ROSE PATCH &.LABEL COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

I LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed August 6, 1923. Serial No. 856,051.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR ROSENTHAL and MARTIN Rosnn'rnnn, citizens of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, county of Kent, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Label Cutting and Folding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates, to improvements in label cutting and folding machines, and particularly to the means for delivering a label strip or tape into and from the cutter and folder, and packing the same into a suitable receptacle or package.

T e objects of the invention are:

First, to deliver the tape so that it will pass from the printing press into proper relation to the cutter and folder.

Second, to provide means for taking the out label or patch from the cutter and folder and delivering and packing the same into a suitable box or rece tacle.

Third, to provi e improved means of packing labels into a box automatically.

Fourth, to provide an automatic control and count.

Objects which pertain to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accom lish the objects of our invention by the evices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a detail pers ective view of the invention connected wit a label printing machine.

Fig. II is an enlarged detail perspective view of the regulating means for delivering a label strip from a printing press into proper relation to a label cutter and folder.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail view of parts appearing in Figs. I and II, without the specific driving means, showing the details of the actuating means for the label or patch packing plunger, and a generalview of the cam shaft and carriage means.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail perspective view of the same parts from a different angle, showin the relations of the various cams and the like, 9. art of the supporting bracket for the label plunger lever being broken away.

Fig. V is a detail transverse sectional elevation view taken ona line corresponding to line 5-5 of Figs. X and XII, showing the cam shaft structure and varipus operating cams and parts in that rela- Fig. VI is an enlar ed detail of the label or patch packing p unger and the label packing and retainin device means.

F1g. VII is an e arged detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 7-7 of. Fig. III, showing the cut-off and su portin slide.

ig. V II is an enlarged detail sectional elevation view taken on line 8-8 of Figs. III, X, and XI, showing dotted line positions of the plunger and patch retaining means when the plun er -1S pressing the patches or labels into t 0 end of the receptacle, the yielding slidable bottom support of the receptacle being shown in section and the retaining fingers for the label being shown in full line.

Fig. IX is a'detail perspective view of one of the packages or receptacles filled with patches or labels.

Fig. X is an enlarged detail plan view of the label cutter and folder with feed means in initial position ready to move into operative position and grasp the label strip and also the folded label simultaneously to feed the label strip to the cutter and folder and remove from the machinethe folded label into position to be acted upon by the packing (plunger, the feed position being indicate b dotted lines.

Fi I is a view similar to Fig. X where the eed has been advanced to the position of carryin the tape to the cutter and folder matic clutch control, taken on line 13-13 of ii the drawings the sectional views are taken looking inthe direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines and similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, 1 is the table or bench upon which the machine is supported. 2 is the frame of the machine, preferably a casting, with legs 3. 4 is a printing press structure, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. I, with a dotted line sprocket gear5 for driving the label cutting and folding and packing machine. 6 is the platen and 7 the printing head of the label printing machine. 8 is the reel for the tape or strip, carried on bracket 9. The strip 10 is delivered through the printing means through a suitable guide comprising a base 11 and friction or brake block 12 retained in position by the upright pin 13 in the transverselyslotted bracket 14, pressure being regulated by set screw 15 acting-on coil spring 16.

The tape or label strip is delivered to the guide over the plate 17 which carries a bracket 18 which supports the adjustable take-up block 19 controlled by set screw 20.

By simply adjusting the take-up block the deliverv of tape from the printing means to the label cutting and folding means can be accurately regulated, whereby the exact position of the printed matter on the cut and folded label can be controlled.

The invention does not relate particularly to the cutter and folder part of the machine, which is the subject matter of an independent patent and such parts will be here described only in a general way sufficient to make clear the relation of the label feeding and packing means.

In this lmproved machine the label is asped by the automatically controlled ceding jaws 21, which are open and pass to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. X, where they automatically close and grasp the end label of the patch or label strip. The jaws are then advanced to the shearing knife 22 carried on pivot 23 and held yieldingly in position by spring 24. This advanced position is indicated by full Page? in Fig. XI. The knife 22 cuts off the The label folders 25, 25 automatically fold upon the opposite ends of the label. The folders are controlled by the rack 26 and pinions 27, 28. As soon as the label is seized by the folding means, the label carrying jaws are withdrawn to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. XI, and are then moved to the left to the initial position indicated by full lines in Fig. X. Parallel to the label feeding jaws and carried by the same support are the jaws for automatically scribed in detail in Patent No. 1,262,986. of

April 16, 1918, to Arthur Rosenthal for label and patch cutting and folding machine, where a detailed description of these cutting and folding means will be found.

The carriage 29 for feeding the label carrying means back and forth and reciprocating the same in the line of the label strip is supported in suitable ways 30, and is actuated by cam 31 on shaft 32. The said cam 31 acts upon the cam follower roller 31 on i the said carriage. The carriage is held yieldingly toward the cam by spring 33 connected to cross arm 34 on the projecting rod 35 secured to said carriage.

A cross carriage 36 is in suitable ways 37, 37 carried by said carriage 29 and disposed transversely thereto. A spring 38 connected to cross arm 39 carried by rod 40 forces this transverse carriage yieldingly against its actuating arm. A transverse bar 36' is secured to the under side of the carriage 36 and is parallel to the ways 30 of the carriage 29, and is engaged by the upper end of the arm 41, fulcrumed at 42 on block 43 on the base of the machine (Fig. V).

The arm 41 is provided with an anti-friction roller 41 to enable the same to reciprocate along the bar 36'. is actuated by a cam 44 carried on the cam shaft 45 (Fig. V), so that, owing to the form of the cam, it acts upon the bar 36, forcing the carriage back against its spring while it is being reciprocated and carried by the main carriage 29, so that it can be advanced to carry the label gripping jaws, carrying the same forward and feeding out additional tape or patch strip and then withdrawing from engagement therewith and returning, when the carriage and jaws are in the withdrawn position, to the initial position.

The upper label feeding jaw 21 is pivoted or fulcrumed at 211 and carries at its rear end block 212. An anti-friction cam roller 213 is carried on the block. pivoted at 215 to the main carriage 29, and

Y has a catch 216 which engages the projecting lugs 217 carried by the block 212. Spring 218 holds the latch 214 in position, being connected to finger 219 carried by the main carriage 29.

An inclined cam bar 220 is disposed to act on the cam roller 213 to depress the lever and open the jaws 21 by raising the upper jaw, and latch 214 engages tlre same to hold it in depressed or open position. The inclined cam 220 is carried by arms 221, 222 (Fig. IV).

An adjustable trip 225 with engaging This arm 41-- A latch 214 is catch 226 is retained by screw 227 to arm 228. Latch 214 passes into engagement with the same so that when the main carriage advances to carry the tape forward, it trips the latch and permits the upper jaw to dro and the jaws 21 to engage the tape or labe strip.'.

The upperjaw 21 is held yieldingly in closed position by the adjustable spring 21. It will thus be seen from the description how this main jaw 21is moved and operated a in feeding the tape or strip to the. cutter and folder. It disengages the label or atch while it is still held securely by the fol er. An auxiliary pair of jaws 46, 47 is vided to engage the cut off and folded label and feed the same forward to the patch or label containing receptacle. These auxiliary jaws engage the label while it is still held by the folder. The upper jaw 46 is secured rigidly by arm 461 to the auxiliary carriage 36. Thelower jaw 47 is carried on the adjustable screw 48 by upwardly projecting slotted ears 49. The lower jaw 47 is provided with upwardly-projecting screw shank 50, on which are adjusting lock nuts 51, 52 to adjust the opening of the jaw.

This lower jaw drops-down and opens by gravity, and is the pivoted member of the pair of jaws 46, 47. It slides along the pivoted bar 53, which is supported on pivot 54. It is actuated by the cross lever 55 fulcrumed at 56. A slotted adjustable cam follower contact block 57 is carriedby the lever 55. Lever 55 is actuated by cam 58 on the cam shaft 45, which is provided with a fat side and a lean side with rests to con,- trol the same and close the jaw against the label in the folder and retain the same until it is advanced into position over the mouth of the packing receptacle. Pivoted bar 53 is held yieldingly downward by tension spring 53 (Figs. III and IV).

It will thus be seen that the label strip is advanced by the feed jaws grasping the end label of the strip, advancing it into the label folder where it is cut off by the cut as knife, which is actuated in any suitable way. The ends of the label are then folded and grasped within the folder. The label feed jaws are then withdrawn and move back to the initial position, leaving the label still grasped by the folder.

In the next movement, the label delivery jaws, being in open position because the bar 53'is in depressed position, slide into engagement with the label, the jaw 47 going beneath the label and thejaw 46 above it. The cam means then acts upon the pivoted bar 53, closing these label grasping jaws together, and when the feed jaw is advanced to carry the label strip to the folder, these jaws carry the folded label to the packer. This advance movement occurs after the folder has released the cut and folded label.

pro-

.tube 59 receives the upper end of the rec-,

tangular package 62, which is held in place 9 I by the support 63 carried by the bracket 64 beneath, the holder being open at the side topermit the ready withdrawal of the ree tangular packagep The package is preferably slotted at the sides so the contents ma be inspected and the progress of the filllng be observed.

The out and folded labels ,are delivered to the top of the packer tube 59 and are forced down into the same by the plunger 65, having a head 66 with longitudinal slots to accommodate the defiectable label supports. The plunger is in the guide 67 and is reciprocated or actuated by the lever 68 containing slots 69, which lever acts on pin 70 in the side of the plunger. The lever 68 is fulcrumed at 71 on the upwardly extending arm 72. This lever 68 is actuated by connecting rod 73 by eccentric 74 on the cam shaft 45, which is embraced by the eccentric ring 75. The upper end of the pitman is connected to lever 68 by adjustable pivot 76. secured in slot 77 by set screw 78. .The said eccentric is timed to co-operate with the cams on'the cam shaft and the stroke of the plunger is adjustable by the adjusting of the pivot 76 along the lever 68, as indicated.

Pivoted deflectable supports 79 are carried at the upper end of the packer tube 59, being held yieldingly in position by springs 80 and having projecting supporting lugs 81 which extend through apertures 82 in the sides of the tube at the right elevation to receive the folded label from the delivery jaws.

Vhen the plunger head 66 descends upon and engages the-label, to force it into the tube, these supports are deflected automatically, and this isaccomplished by means of a toggle joint connection 83. pivoted at 84,84 to each jaw and actuated bylink 85 connected to lever 86 which is fulcrumed at 87. The said lever 86has .a laterally projecting arm 88 with a cam follower roller 89, and is acted upon by a cam 90 on cam shaft 45, which cam is timed to deflect the pivoted supports and permit the plunger to force the label into the packer tube 59.

It is possible to fit the labels so tightly into the tube that they will be supported, but it is far better to provide a frictionally-supported slidable bottom block 91, divided into two parts hinged together by hinge 92 and forced yieldingly apart by spring 93 disposed in a recess 94 within the This block vieldingly engages the same. side of the packer tube and when forced down beyond the packer tube into the receptacle,yieldingly engages its sides so that the labels within the package are all evenly compressed and fed under pressure into the box. This yielding bottom is removed from the bottom of the box before it is scaled up.

When the package 02 is filled the machine is stopped automatically. This is driven by a clutch 95 controlled by a clutch lever 90. The clutch is automatically controlled by a screw 97 carrying the divided screw nut 98, the parts of which are pivoted on the trip rod 99, held yieldin 'ly together by spring 100 and capable of being opened by pinching the finger pieces 101. The screwthreaded nut is carried along the trip rod 99 which is connected at 102 to control the clutch. It is provided with a stop 103 against which the divided nut structure contacts to automatically withdraw the clutch. By adjusting this divided nut 98 along the screw 97, the number of labels delivered into the package is regulated and counted and the machine stops as soon as the package is filled.

hen the package is filled it is of course removed from the machine.

The lower end of the packer tube 59 is then closed automatically by the spring shutter 104C carried by the bracket 105, and forced through slot 106 in the side of the packer tube by the spring 107. The shutter 104 is held out by the side wall of the package 62 so that as soon as the package is pulled down sutliciently to uncover the slot 106, the shut-ter 104 acts automatically and shoots under the labels in the upper part of the packer tube. taking the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. VII, where the details of this structure appear.

The yielding block 91 is withdrawn from the filled package 62 and inserted into the bottom of the packer tube 59 against the cutoff slide or shutter 104. An empty package (32 is then inserted. the shutter withdrawn, and the upper end of the side wall of the package inserted beneath it to hold it in open position.

\Vhile this invention has been thus described in detail, itwill be understood that the shapes of the labels may be varied, and they may be labels or patches. The structure is adjustable and is usable with or without the printing feature. Also, while a special organization of cam shafts is shown for doing the work, it might be accomplished by other timing devices. The automatic stop counter is of convenient but not a necessity, and could be eliminated. Other variations have been indicated and no doubt many others will occur to those skilled in the art. which could be made use of without departing from the broader features of the invention. It is desired to claim the invention specifically and broadly, as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. ln a machine of the class described the combination of the label cutter and folder, a reel for delivering strip thereto, means for printing the label matter on said strip, gu de means for the said strip between the printing means and the label cutter and folder, comprising a laterally adjustable take-up member to regulate the delivery of printed matter to the cutter, label feed jaws for grasping the end label of the strip and delivering the same to the cutter and folder, means to actuate the cutter and folder to cut and fold the said labels, means to withdraw the said jaws and return them to initial position, auxiliary jaws connected; synchronously to operate with the said label feed j aws, adapted to move into engagement with the labels in the folder simultaneously with the moving of the feed jaws into feeding position on said strip, means to automatically close the auxiliary jaws and grasp the label and feed it forward as the label strip is advanced, a packer tube disposed to receive the folded labels from the said auxiliary jaws, a plunger disposed to engage the labels while in the said jaws and advance them into the said packer tube when the jaws are-withdrawn, detlectable supports for supporting the labels above the said packet tube, connections to the said machine timed to deflect the said supports and permit the plunger to force the labels into the packer tube, a yieldable support for the packer tube adapted to be depressed by the labels and be fed with the labels into a suitable receptacle for storage and use, and an automatic stop for said machine; all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine of the class described. the combination of the label cutter and folder, a reel for delivering strip thereto. means for printing the label matter'on said strip, and guide means for said strip between the printing means and the label cutter and folder comprising a laterally adjustable take-up member to regulate the delivery of printed matter to the cutter.

3. In a machine of the class described. the combination of the label cutter and folder. a reel for delivering strip thereto, label feed jaws for grasping the end label of the strip and delivering the same to the cutter and folder, means to actuate the cutter and folder to cut and fold the said labels. means to withdraw the said jaws and return them to initial position. auxiliary jaws connected synchronously to operate with the said label feed jaws. adapted to move into engagement with the labels in the folder simultaneously with the moving of the feed jaws into feeding position on said strip, means to automatically close the auxiliary aws and grasp the label and feed it forward as the label strip is advanced, a-packer tube disposed to receive the folded labels from the said auxiliary jaws, a plunger disposed to engage the labels while in the said jaws and advance them into the said packer tube when the jaws are withdrawn, deflectable supports for supporting the labels above the said packer tube, connections to the said machine timed to deflect the said supports and permit the plunger to force the labels into the packet tube, a' yieldable support for the packer tube adapted to be depressed by the labels and be fed with the labels into a suitable receptacle for storage and use, and an automatic stop for said machine, all coacting for the purpose specified.

4. Ina machine of the class described the combination of the label cutter and folder, a reel for delivering strip thereto means for printing the label matter on said strip, guide means for the said stri between the printing means and the labe cutter and folder, comprising a laterally adjustable take-up member to regulate the delivery of printed matter to the cutter, labelfeed jaws for grasping the end label of the strip and delivering the same-to the cutter and folder, means to actuate the cutter. and folder to cut and fold the said labels, means to withdraw the said aws and return them to initial position, auxiliary jaws connected synchronously to operate with the said label feed jaws, adapted to move into engagement with the labels in the folder simultaneously with the moving of the feed jaws into feeding position on the said strip, means to automatically close the auxiliary jaws and grasp the label and feed it forward as the label strip is advanced, a packer tube disposed to receive the folded labels from the said auxiliary jaws, a plunger disposed to engage the labels while in the said jaws and advance them into the said packer tube when the jaws are withdrawn, deflectable supports for supporting the labels above the said packer tube, connections to the said machine timed to deflect the said supports and permit the plunger to force the labels into the packer tube, and a yieldable support for the packer tube adapted to be depressed bythe labels and be fed with the labels into a suitable receptacle. for storage and use, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of the label cutter and folder, a reel for delivering strip thereto, label feed jaws for grasping the end label of the strip and delivering the same to the cutter and folder, means to actuate the cutter and folder to cut and fold the said labels, means to withdraw the said jaws and return them to initial position, auxiliary jaws connected synchronously to operate with the said label feed jaws, adapted to move into engagement with the labelsin the folder simultaneously jaws are withdrawn, defiectable supports for supportingthe'labels above the said packer tube, connections to the said machine timed to deflect the said supports andperinit the plunger to force the labels into the packer tube, and a yieldablc support for the packer tube adapted to be depressed by the labels and be fed with the labels into a suitable receptacle for storage and use, all coacting for the purpose specified. T

6. In a machine of the class described the combination of the label cutter and folder, a reel for delivering strip thereto, label feed jaws for grasping the end label of the strip and deliveringthe same to the cutter and folder, means to actuate the cutter and folder to cut and fold the said labels, means I to withdraw the said jaws and return them to initial position, auxiliary jaws connected synchronously to operate with the said label feed jaws, adapted to move into engagement with the labels in the folder simultaneously with the moving of the feed jaws into feeding position on the said strip, means to automatically close the auxiliary jaws and grasp the label and feed it forward as the label strip is advanced, a packer tube disposed to receive the folded labels from the said auxiliary jaws, a plunger disposed to engage the labels while in the said jaws and advance them into the said packer tube when the jaws are withdrawn, deflectable supports for supporting the labels above the said packer tube, and connections to the said machine timed to deflect the said supports and permit the plunger to force the labels into the packer tube, all coacting for the purpose specified.

7 In a machine of the class described the combination of the label cutter and folder, a reel for delivering strip thereto, label feed jaws for grasping the end label of the strip and delivering the same to the cutter and folder, means to actuate the cutter and folder to cut and fold the said labels, means to withdraw the said jaws and return them to initial position, auxiliary jaws connected synchronously to operate with the said label feed jaws, adapted to move intoengagement with the labels in the folder simultaneously withthe moving of the feed jaws into feeding position on the said strip, means to automatically close the auxiliary jaws and grasp the label and feed it forward as the label strip is :uh'unced, a packer lube disposed to timed to deflect the labels into the packer receive the folded labels from the said auxtube, and :1, spring slide to cut 011' the said 10 iliuryjmvs, a plunger disposed to engage the packer tube, all eoaeting for the purpose labels while in the said jaws and advance specified.

them into the said packer tube when the In testimony whereof, We have hereunto jaws are withdrawn, (lefiectable supports set our hands,

for supporting the labels above the said v MARTIN ROSENTHAL. packer tube, connections to the said machine ARTHUR ROSENTHAL. 

